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The most important rules before the game starts 

Have you always found Soccer to be a quiet complicated sport? Then this article is just right for you! It will explain every single rule there is before the game starts. So stay tuned! 

Even before the game starts, there a few rules that have to be paid attention to in order to not be punished by the referee afterwards and also so that the game works and everyone will be safe during the 90 minutes of the ball rolling.  

First of all, the place where the game will take place in, the stadium, has to meet a few criterias. It does not matter, if the field in the stadium is real or fake grass. Normally, the professionals play on real high grass though. The field is rectangular and there are lines which show where the field ends and the ball will be outside. Both lines that mark the side, called side lines, are 90 and 120 m long. The shorter lines, also 90m long, are called goal lines and mark the wide of the playing field. In the middle, there is the middle line, which parts the field in half and connects the two side lines. A middle circle of 9,15 m surrounds the middle line in its center , this is where the kickoff takes place in the beginning or after a goal has been shot. Another important part of the field is the goal area directly around the goal, where the goalkeeper cannot be attacked directly from other players and can use his hands, this part is 5,5 m away from the goal line. In the penalty box, which is 16,5 m away from the goal line, the goalkeeper is also still allowed to use his hands and a the penalty is shot here. Additionally, the flags, marking the corners have to be put down and of course, the goals in both ends right in the center of the field. The height and width depends on the age of the players and is not always the same, but the professionals shoot on goals with a length of 7,32 m and a width of 2, 44 m.  

Besides the rules for the field, there are also some specifications on the ball. It has to be round and made out of a good material, e.g. leather. For adults, the ball has to weigh between 410 g und 450 g and the circumference should be about 70 cm. If the ball breaks during the game, the game will stop and a new ball, which has to be exactly the same as the other one, needs to be provided and the game continues exactly where it ended.  

Furthermore, there are rules for the player’s outfits as well.  Every player has to wear a jersey of their team, shorts, long socks and underneath those shin guards. If a player wears a long shirt or pants underneath the team jersey, then it has to be the same color, so you will not be confused what team it belongs to. The teams have to wear different jersey colors to separate themselves from each other. Each goalkeeper also has to wear a different color than their teammates are. Wearing earrings or other accessories is prohibited.  

Each game lasts 90 minutes with a break in the middle, so each part is 45 minutes long. There are some exceptions, for example for kids, who play 20 minutes each half or elderly people who normally play a shorter amount. Normally, the referee adds a few minutes after the regular time ended because of fouls or other delays.  If there is a tie after the regular time ended, there will be an additional time of 30 minutes played. Also, if the game has to be stopped, e.g. because of the weather, then the game will have to be played again another time.  

The winner of the game is the team, who scored the most goals. As already mentioned, after a tie, there is the additional time played and if no team scored also during that time, then there will be a penalty kick-off.  

If you do not only want to know the rules that are important to consider before the game has started, but also during the game, then please read my next article about the Rules of Soccer Part 2, which will follow soon!  

Source: https://www.erima.de/corporate/news/blog/die-wichtigsten-fu%C3%9Fballregeln-einfach-erkl%C3%A4rt